A week ago, Steve Spark was in his local pub in Toowoomba, sipping beers, thinking about where his boxing career could take him next.
Today, he’s preparing to take on Australia’s boxing prodigy, Tim Tszyu.
A Cinderella story of epic proportions, Steve Spark has agreed to step in on late notice to fight Tszyu after Michael Zerafa unexpectedly pulled out of their scheduled bout.
Zerafa’s team made the call to remove him, citing concerns around COVID and travel restrictions. Zerafa’s manager and trainer, Sam Labruna announced the team was unwilling to risk the possibility of undergoing a two-week quarantine in Melbourne after returning from the fight.
Enter, Steve Spark. On seven days notice, has decided to step up to take on the Australian champ. After turning professional in 2014 while still a teenager, Spark set about putting the Australian boxing scene on notice, working his way through the super lightweight and welterweight divisions.
More recently, Spark took out Jack Brubaker via unanimous decision on the undercard of Paul Gallen’s win over Lucas Browne. The fight will see him jump up a division to super welterweight, but that won’t phase him.
Look no further, I don't mind a scrap," Spark wrote on social media when he accepted the bout.
"Bloods and medicals are up to date.
"I will travel and just may upset the apple cart."
Tim Tszyu, although frustrated with the last minute Zerafa cancellation, will turn his attention to Spark, an underdog, but will still come in with a bang.
On the change to the fight card, Tszyu had this to say.
““It was a bit shocking at first. I didn’t believe it,” Tszyu said. “I thought they were just talking it up and it was more of an ego thing with teams and that. Never did I even consider that he would pull out.
“There’s a bit of anger. A lot of anger actually. I’ve been preparing well, preparing hard for this fight. I really wanted to take this guy out.
“It’s been a long build-up, couple years in the making. There’s been a lot of anticipation for this particular moment, and I was only one week out from getting my hands on him.
The two will do battle Wednesday 7 July.
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Tim Tszyu vs Steve Spark
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More information coming soon.